DS3 status - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

DS3 status

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
flip
Jun 18, 2003 10:34:55 Okay, just thought I'd throw in on the current status of the project.

Gab and I may use this thread just to keep people up to date on how things are progressing; Move discussions off to another thread.

So, at the moment:

The core DS3 document exists as a word file floating around between a few of us on the development team. We're working on formatting, images and any final fixes ... and actually, it'd probably be a good idea to let you guys know what's changed between the current iteration and the last published parts:

Magic system: The Raze system has been replaced with the "Mergemagic" (it's a development codename, I think you can guess why) system, as has been posted on the boards previously.
Weapon Famiailiarity: Some of the racial weapon stuff (like the Elven thinblade) has been shifted to weapon familiarity, rather than automatic proficency
Gladiators no longer have a good Reflex save
Ranger's proficencies are now all simple and martial weapons, light and medium armor
The changes to the druid's wild shape ability have been removed (as 3.5 no longer has "beast" as a type ...)
Elves just have a base speed of 40. No more need to break out the calculator every time one of 'em uses Cat's Grace or Animal Affinity
The warcraft skill has been replaced with a collection of feats (where appropriate) and plans for a future article on formations. Those feats are added to the fighter list of bonus feats

Still in progress:
looking over the weapons, and figuring out which ones shouldn't actually be exotic
More pictures
Intro chapter

Provided I get a chance to finish up the layout stuff, this thing should be ready within a month ...
#2
ropp-cht-cht
Jun 21, 2003 23:49:58 *bump* (And looking forward to it)
#3
flip
Jun 26, 2003 14:22:19 Most of the weaponry issues have been figured out. One new thing has come up, though it should be resolved shortly:

We're going to be retiring our rewrite of the Ranger class, in favor of the 3.5 rewrite of the class. Some of the current abilities -- Favored {Creature,Land,Terrain} will be finding their way into the new class, as alternates to the Favored Enemy ability. In all likelyhood, we will not strip the spellcasting ability from the class.

Once that's done, we should be ready to publish the doc, and let it sit until we've had time to evaluate it against 3.5 ... a few days ...
#4
player1
Jun 26, 2003 14:53:10
not strip the spellcasting ability from the class.

not?
#5
zombiegleemax
Jun 27, 2003 3:59:28
In all likelyhood, we will not strip the spellcasting ability from the class.

This is a bad decision in my opinion. Very bad.

The argument is probably "game balance". But the major reason (I guess) for the inclusion of the spell-castign ability is the somewhat vague "flexibility". Flexibility, however, is greatly dependent on the setting (my opinion). In Dark Sun it is generally much more hazarderous to travel and in general roam the wild. This, by itself, enhances the value of the ranger class.

While I can see the reasons for adaption to the 3.5 ranger, I must add that in my groups, the current Dark Sun ranger is percieved as an attrictive class.
#6
flip
Jun 27, 2003 8:44:14 As I said in the first post, this is not a discussion thread.

If you'd like to take up and make comments about the ranger, either use the current thread where this coversation is already taking place ( http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46208 ) or start a new thread.

Once again, this is not a discussion thread.
#7
flip
Jul 13, 2003 20:02:09 The doc is done. <0>

Mostly. There's a little issue with file size. After I finished getting the images into the doc and laied out right ... well, the source document is 125 Megs.

Now, Even being on a high speed connection, I think that's a little much. So, we're in a file-size control phase here ... maybe we can get acrobat to distill the images to a decent size (the source of most of the file size issues) ... or maybe I'll have to redo the layout without all the images on it, so at least there's the OPTION of not taking hours to dwnload the file ...

Soon as we can get the file size under control, it'll be stable, until we have a chance to do a full 3.5 audit and update. Don't antipcipate any HUGE changes there, either....

<0> (Less the intro chapter, which needs to be rewritten)
#8
zombiegleemax
Jul 14, 2003 19:33:40 I know this isn't a discussion board. I'm not sure if what I'm about to say falls under "discussion" or not.

I do have some questions for the developers:

1) What all will be in the file? I realize it'll have the monsters, feats, classes, etc that are all seperate .pdf's on your site (albeit updated), but will the master file contain things not seen ont he site, such as Prestige classes, for example?

2) I don't own any of the 3.5 books, and I doubt I ever will (unless I suddenly wake up one morning and find out I'm a multi-millionaire). If I download the master file (when it is released), can I survive on the normal D&D books, or will I be totally and completely lost without the revised editions?

Thank you.
#9
Otakkun
Jul 14, 2003 20:33:38
Originally posted by flip
The doc is done. <0>

Mostly. There's a little issue with file size. After I finished getting the images into the doc and laied out right ... well, the source document is 125 Megs.

Now, Even being on a high speed connection, I think that's a little much. So, we're in a file-size control phase here ...

Hmmm, what about bittorrent? That way it should be possible for everyone to get the PDF as long as everyone helps.

Edo.
#10
flip
Jul 14, 2003 21:02:46 Okay, so ... Acrobat does a really good job of compressing images. The doc as a PDF is a much more manageable ~18 megs. Considering that it's a 76 page document, with background images, an embedded font or three and that it's pretty well illustrated ... that's not bad.

The monsters aren't going to appear in the document; nyt is planning on putting out a (much larger than current) MM shortly on the heels of core.

And, yes, the intention is for us to keep up with 3.5 ... but that's not as bad as it sounds. All of the changes to the rules are going into the SRD (http://opengamingfoundation.org/srd.html) later this month, so things should be accessable.
#11
zombiegleemax
Jul 15, 2003 9:09:05 Are you going to release this 18 meg version anytime soon, or are you waiting to incorporate the 3.5 changes before releasing it?

No pressure .
#12
jon_oracle_of_athas
Jul 15, 2003 11:36:26 The 18 mb pdf will be released as DS3 before the updates to DS3.5 are incorporated.
#13
Kamelion
Jul 16, 2003 1:51:57 So are we going to see two releases, one for DS3 Core and then another for DS3.5 shortly afterwards, once you guys have done the tweaking? Like I mentioned in another thread, I plan to bind and give away copies of the Core Rules to my local gaming store so I want to be sure I only print and bind the most up to date version...

(Maybe this belongs in the DS evangelism thread - apologies if I am off topic here...)
#14
jon_oracle_of_athas
Jul 16, 2003 7:01:29 Kameleon, don't do anything before you get Overcouncil approval. Send an e-mail to [email]overcouncil@athas.org[/email] with your idea. There are a lot of well-meaning spirits out there that could do quite an amount of damage unintentionally.
#15
Kamelion
Jul 16, 2003 7:17:13 Your point is well-taken, Jon. I'd make sure to check in with the OverCouncil before I went about distributing your stuff willy-nilly. My plan was to go chat to the local hobby-store and then get back to you guys with some feedback for the final word. I will, of course, get approval from the DS3 team...
#16
flip
Jul 16, 2003 23:23:48 It's up. http://athas.org/releases/ds3/

This is not the final release. There are a couple of things that need to go through for the final release:

3.5 check. Making sure that everything is 3.5 kosher
Intro Chapter and credits list.

Not a lot, but ... well, I don't get my 3.5 books for another two days, and there's the time needed to absorb changes ....But, see my thread on "How to post feedback" ... I'm soliciting help from the rest of you on that count. wahoo!
#17
zombiegleemax
Jul 17, 2003 5:00:01 Any chance of having a chapter-by-chapter download version. My girlfriend gains the benefit of the Barbarian's rage ability if denied use of the phone for too long.
#18
player1
Jul 17, 2003 5:48:13
Originally posted by flip
3.5 check. Making sure that everything is 3.5 kosher

Luckly this doc has no monsters.
Converting them to 3.5e would need some time.

But converting to 3.5 is not small task.
New DR and weapon material rules need some consideration.
Making small, medium, lage versions of all weapons as in revPHB(ouch!)
As checking feats, skills, classes and spells.
#19
zombiegleemax
Jul 17, 2003 13:37:49 I'm dying over here. The link flip posted pretty much just times out for me. If I do manage to get the page up, the download times out after a little bit. I assume it's because the page is getting alot of traffic, but I figured I'd post my problem here just in case.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 flip Jun 18, 2003 10:34:55	Okay, just thought I'd throw in on the current status of the project. Gab and I may use this thread just to keep people up to date on how things are progressing; Move discussions off to another thread. So, at the moment: The core DS3 document exists as a word file floating around between a few of us on the development team. We're working on formatting, images and any final fixes ... and actually, it'd probably be a good idea to let you guys know what's changed between the current iteration and the last published parts: Magic system: The Raze system has been replaced with the "Mergemagic" (it's a development codename, I think you can guess why) system, as has been posted on the boards previously. Weapon Famiailiarity: Some of the racial weapon stuff (like the Elven thinblade) has been shifted to weapon familiarity, rather than automatic proficency Gladiators no longer have a good Reflex save Ranger's proficencies are now all simple and martial weapons, light and medium armor The changes to the druid's wild shape ability have been removed (as 3.5 no longer has "beast" as a type ...) Elves just have a base speed of 40. No more need to break out the calculator every time one of 'em uses Cat's Grace or Animal Affinity The warcraft skill has been replaced with a collection of feats (where appropriate) and plans for a future article on formations. Those feats are added to the fighter list of bonus feats Still in progress: looking over the weapons, and figuring out which ones shouldn't actually be exotic More pictures Intro chapter Provided I get a chance to finish up the layout stuff, this thing should be ready within a month ...
#2 ropp-cht-cht Jun 21, 2003 23:49:58	bump (And looking forward to it)
#3 flip Jun 26, 2003 14:22:19	Most of the weaponry issues have been figured out. One new thing has come up, though it should be resolved shortly: We're going to be retiring our rewrite of the Ranger class, in favor of the 3.5 rewrite of the class. Some of the current abilities -- Favored {Creature,Land,Terrain} will be finding their way into the new class, as alternates to the Favored Enemy ability. In all likelyhood, we will not strip the spellcasting ability from the class. Once that's done, we should be ready to publish the doc, and let it sit until we've had time to evaluate it against 3.5 ... a few days ...
#4 player1 Jun 26, 2003 14:53:10	not strip the spellcasting ability from the class. not?
#5 zombiegleemax Jun 27, 2003 3:59:28	In all likelyhood, we will not strip the spellcasting ability from the class. This is a bad decision in my opinion. Very bad. The argument is probably "game balance". But the major reason (I guess) for the inclusion of the spell-castign ability is the somewhat vague "flexibility". Flexibility, however, is greatly dependent on the setting (my opinion). In Dark Sun it is generally much more hazarderous to travel and in general roam the wild. This, by itself, enhances the value of the ranger class. While I can see the reasons for adaption to the 3.5 ranger, I must add that in my groups, the current Dark Sun ranger is percieved as an attrictive class.
#6 flip Jun 27, 2003 8:44:14	As I said in the first post, this is *not* a discussion thread. If you'd like to take up and make comments about the ranger, either use the current thread where this coversation is already taking place ( http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46208 ) or start a new thread. Once again, this is *not* a discussion thread.
#7 flip Jul 13, 2003 20:02:09	The doc is done. <0> Mostly. There's a little issue with file size. After I finished getting the images into the doc and laied out right ... well, the source document is 125 Megs. Now, Even being on a high speed connection, I think that's a little much. So, we're in a file-size control phase here ... maybe we can get acrobat to distill the images to a decent size (the source of most of the file size issues) ... or maybe I'll have to redo the layout without all the images on it, so at least there's the OPTION of not taking hours to dwnload the file ... Soon as we can get the file size under control, it'll be stable, until we have a chance to do a full 3.5 audit and update. Don't antipcipate any HUGE changes there, either.... <0> (Less the intro chapter, which needs to be rewritten)
#8 zombiegleemax Jul 14, 2003 19:33:40	I know this isn't a discussion board. I'm not sure if what I'm about to say falls under "discussion" or not. I do have some questions for the developers: 1) What all will be in the file? I realize it'll have the monsters, feats, classes, etc that are all seperate .pdf's on your site (albeit updated), but will the master file contain things not seen ont he site, such as Prestige classes, for example? 2) I don't own any of the 3.5 books, and I doubt I ever will (unless I suddenly wake up one morning and find out I'm a multi-millionaire). If I download the master file (when it is released), can I survive on the normal D&D books, or will I be totally and completely lost without the revised editions? Thank you.
#9 Otakkun Jul 14, 2003 20:33:38	Originally posted by flip The doc is done. <0> Mostly. There's a little issue with file size. After I finished getting the images into the doc and laied out right ... well, the source document is 125 Megs. Now, Even being on a high speed connection, I think that's a little much. So, we're in a file-size control phase here ... Hmmm, what about bittorrent? That way it should be possible for everyone to get the PDF as long as everyone helps. Edo.
#10 flip Jul 14, 2003 21:02:46	Okay, so ... Acrobat does a really good job of compressing images. The doc as a PDF is a much more manageable ~18 megs. Considering that it's a 76 page document, with background images, an embedded font or three and that it's pretty well illustrated ... that's not bad. The monsters aren't going to appear in the document; nyt is planning on putting out a (much larger than current) MM shortly on the heels of core. And, yes, the intention is for us to keep up with 3.5 ... but that's not as bad as it sounds. All of the changes to the rules are going into the SRD (http://opengamingfoundation.org/srd.html) later this month, so things should be accessable.
#11 zombiegleemax Jul 15, 2003 9:09:05	Are you going to release this 18 meg version anytime soon, or are you waiting to incorporate the 3.5 changes before releasing it? No pressure .
#12 jon_oracle_of_athas Jul 15, 2003 11:36:26	The 18 mb pdf will be released as DS3 before the updates to DS3.5 are incorporated.
#13 Kamelion Jul 16, 2003 1:51:57	So are we going to see two releases, one for DS3 Core and then another for DS3.5 shortly afterwards, once you guys have done the tweaking? Like I mentioned in another thread, I plan to bind and give away copies of the Core Rules to my local gaming store so I want to be sure I only print and bind the most up to date version... (Maybe this belongs in the DS evangelism thread - apologies if I am off topic here...)
#14 jon_oracle_of_athas Jul 16, 2003 7:01:29	Kameleon, don't do anything before you get Overcouncil approval. Send an e-mail to [email]overcouncil@athas.org[/email] with your idea. There are a lot of well-meaning spirits out there that could do quite an amount of damage unintentionally.
#15 Kamelion Jul 16, 2003 7:17:13	Your point is well-taken, Jon. I'd make sure to check in with the OverCouncil before I went about distributing your stuff willy-nilly. My plan was to go chat to the local hobby-store and then get back to you guys with some feedback for the final word. I will, of course, get approval from the DS3 team...
#16 flip Jul 16, 2003 23:23:48	It's up. http://athas.org/releases/ds3/ This is not the final release. There are a couple of things that need to go through for the final release: 3.5 check. Making sure that everything is 3.5 kosher Intro Chapter and credits list. Not a lot, but ... well, I don't get my 3.5 books for another two days, and there's the time needed to absorb changes ....But, see my thread on "How to post feedback" ... I'm soliciting help from the rest of you on that count. wahoo!
#17 zombiegleemax Jul 17, 2003 5:00:01	Any chance of having a chapter-by-chapter download version. My girlfriend gains the benefit of the Barbarian's rage ability if denied use of the phone for too long.
#18 player1 Jul 17, 2003 5:48:13	Originally posted by flip 3.5 check. Making sure that everything is 3.5 kosher Luckly this doc has no monsters. Converting them to 3.5e would need some time. But converting to 3.5 is not small task. New DR and weapon material rules need some consideration. Making small, medium, lage versions of all weapons as in revPHB(ouch!) As checking feats, skills, classes and spells.
#19 zombiegleemax Jul 17, 2003 13:37:49	I'm dying over here. The link flip posted pretty much just times out for me. If I do manage to get the page up, the download times out after a little bit. I assume it's because the page is getting alot of traffic, but I figured I'd post my problem here just in case.